With Cristiano scoring 54 goals between La Liga, Champions League, and the Euros, it was a one-horse race this year. He was head and shoulders above the competition.

Upon receiving the award, Ronaldo 2.0 was quick to thank his teammates:

My teammates are the key – they are the key every year. I work hard myself but without the help of my teammates this would not be possible. Thanks to my teammates from Real Madrid and Portugal.

Cristiano Ronaldo

There’s been a paradigm shift in the world’s perception of Ronaldo this year.

If Ronaldo 1.0 was a bisexual egotistical maniac, Ronaldo 2.0 is a man blessed by Soccer Gods who cares deeply about his sport, teammates, and community.

Those close to Ronaldo have always known his true character, but it seems like this is the first time the world at large has been able to peel back the veneer to see past the hair gel and resting bitch face.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRsKW-WfSSE

Lionel Messi’s fall from grace hasn’t hurt Ronaldo’s ratings in the polls either. If you had to pick one or the other, which you don’t, the evaporation of Messi’s image as The Chosen One, Ruler Of All Men, He Who Is Above Reproach has made the choice a real head-scratcher.

Before, the Messi-Ronaldo debate was a popularity contest that Messi was winning in a landslide. Now, it’s a cyclical discussion without a real answer.

Whether Ronaldo goes down as the best ever remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: he was easily the best player in Europe this year.